title: Evolution of ventriculomegaly: comparison between foetal MR imaging and postnatal diagnostic imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the evolution of ventriculomegaly (VM) by comparing foetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with postnatal transcranial ultrasonography (US) and/or encephalic MRI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2006 and April 2011, 70 foetuses with a mean gestational age of 28 weeks and 4 days (range, 18-36) weeks with VM on foetal MRI were assessed in this prospective study. Half-Fourier rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) T2-weighted, T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted (DWI) images along the three orthogonal planes according to the longitudinal axis of the mother, and subsequently of the foetal brain, were acquired. Quantitative image analysis included the transverse diameter of lateral ventricles in axial and coronal planes. Qualitative image analysis included searching for associated structural anomalies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-four of 70 patients with a diagnosis of VM on foetal MRI underwent postnatal imaging. Twenty-five of those 34 (73%) had mild, four (12%) had moderate and five (15%) had severe VM on MRI. Normalisation of the diameter of lateral ventricles was observed in 16 of the 34 (47%) newborns. Among these 16, 13 (81%) had mild and three (19%) had moderate VM (two isolated and one associated VM). VM stabilisation was observed in 16 of the 34 (47%) babies. Among them, 11 (69%) had mild (eight isolated and three associated), one (6%) had moderate associated and four (25%) had severe associated VM. Progression from mild to severe (associated) VM was observed in two of the 34 (6%) babies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The absence of associated anomalies and a mild VM are favourable prognostic factors in the evolution of VM.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Radiologia, Università di Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy, saraprinaz@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mehrabi
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adami
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ventriglia
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zantedeschi
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franchi
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manfredi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy